Rec from English or Science teacher?

<p>I'm planning on applying to quite a few schools this fall for their PharmD programs. In most of their applications, they ask usually ask for 2 recs: 1 from counselor and 1 from a teacher.</p>

<p>English has always been a strong subject of mine and I am in very good terms with two of my English teachers. One of them from sophomore year, and the other only my junior year but I've known her since my freshman year (homeroom teacher and NHS advisor). I had the same science teacher (for Chemistry and Physics) for my sophomore and junior year and he's a really amazing teacher whom I think can give me a good recommendation letter. Plus, he's the department chair (which I think holds more weight?).</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm applying to ~11 schools. Should I ask a rec from my english teachers (they'll give me strong ones) regardless of the fact that I'm not really applying to a major english-related. Or should I ask my science teacher. I've asked all of them regarding this and they have all said yes. My science teacher is the greatest but I've had him write a rec for me before (for an internship) and thought it sang me praises, it wasn't... pretty, I guess. I mean, he showed it to me to read beforehand and I got the internship, but I didn't feel particularly moved by the letter. I dunno.</p>

<p>Or should I just ask each of them to write 3 letters so that they don't have a stack of paperwork to go through just so I can get to college?</p>

<p>Get 1 from each and then choose the best one.</p>

<p>But aren't you not supposed to read the recommendations for college? I think that I am going to have the same problem mediocreme...I want to apply to a lot of schools and know that my physics teacher will give me great recs, but I don't want to pressure to have to do all of them. And some schools want 2 teacher recs in addition to the counseler one.</p>

<p>Alien: but usually, teachers are supposed to send the letters in a sealed envelope. I know that I shouldn't ask to see the letter unless they offer. </p>

<p>alys: No, generally, you're not supposed to. IMO, it shows that you don't trust them to be honest and objective and still give you praises. I think it's possible to ask all from just one teacher. Just organize the materials needed (like envelopes, stamps) and then give him/her a chart of what needs to be done when. And give LOTS of time for him/her to finish.</p>

<p>Send in recs from both, if you can. Supplementary recs never hurt. :p</p>

<p>Warblersrule is right.
Ask 2 teachers to send recs.
Organize the info carefully for them so it's easy:
-Give them a list of all schools with addresses and due dates for recs.
-Give them addressed, stamped envelopes.
-Make a nice cover letter thanking them for agreeing to write the recs, then send them a nice thank you letter at around the due date. If they've forgotten something, this will remind them in a nice way.</p>

<p>Well guys, I have a question. Wouldn't it just be a bigger hassle on your teacher if you asked him to photocopy the letter and send it to 6 or 7 schools? Wouldn't it be easier just to get the reccomendation from him/her and do the photocopying it yourself. I've read on the forums of people getting 5 or 6 reccomendations from teachers and just using the best ones. I was planning on doing that too.</p>

<p>Why doesn't one teacher just write one letter and then substitute names?</p>

<p>Most colleges prefer that the teacher not share the rec with the student.
I assume teachers write one rec about the student and print it out x number of times to stuff in the envelopes. It doesn't have to be tailored to the school unless the school has a specific form for the teacher.</p>